Charlotte, N.C. — Julius Peppers, a two-sport star at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who played most of his professional football career for the Carolina Panthers, announced on Friday that he will retire after 17 seasons.

Peppers, a North Carolina native, played his first eight seasons (2002-09) and final two seasons (2017-18) in Carolina. He also played four seasons with the Bears (2010-13) and three with the Packers (2014-16).

In a post shared on Twitter by the team, Peppers says, “It’s not goodbye. It’s see ya later.”

That sentiment will ring true to Carolina fans who know Peppers for his on-field achievements as well as his generosity off of it. Peppers is the team’s nominee this year for the community-service award known as the Walter Payton Man of the Year. Most recently, after Hurricane Florence ravaged eastern North Carolina, Peppers gave both time and money to help with recovery and rebuilding.